Device for printing the elevation coordinates on a map

ABSTRACT

A device for the continuous and automatic transmission and indication of the elevation coordinate at a cartographic location in a stereoscopic apparatus to an indicating device associated with a map, and wherein the measured value is introduced to a first motor by means of a commutator disc with contact plates. The motor is coupled to the indicating device and follows exactly the measured value from the commutator disc in both directions, the indicated value on the indicating device being printed upon a map by means of a second motor after closure of a switch.

United States Patent Stafiel et al.

[54] DEVICE FOR PRINTING THE ELEVATION COQRDINATES ON A MAP [72]Inventors: Hans Staffel, Gundwaldstr.l2,6092, Kelsterbach/M; Dieterlsenburg, Jahnstr.l7,605l, Weiskirchen, both of Germany [22] Filed: July13, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 54,129

[52] U.S. Cl ..178/36, 346/79 [51] Int. Cl. ..H04L 15/24, H041 17/16[58] Field of Search ..346/79;178/4.1,l5, 28, 36

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,034,125 5/1962 Gonzenbach..346/79 3,317,660 5/1967 Simms l 78/4.l

Primary Examiner-Kathleen H. Claffy Assistant Examiner-William A.Helvestine Anorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen [57] ABSTRACT Adevice for the continuous and automatic transmission and indication ofthe elevation coordinate at a cartographic location in a stereoscopicapparatus to an indicating device associated with a map, and wherein themeasured value is inv troduced to a first motor by means of a commutatordisc with contact plates. The motor is coupled to the indicating deviceand follows exactly the measured value from the commutator disc in bothdirections, the indicated value on the indicating device being printedupon a map by means of a second motor after closure of a switch.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] APR 2 5 I972 SHEET 10F 5PATENTEDAPR 2 5 1972 SHEET 2 BF 5 PATENTEUAPR25 I972 3. 659,047

SHEET u [if 5 DEVICE FOR PRINTING THE ELEVATION COORDINATES ON A MAPBRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to apparatus formarking maps with elevation values and particularly to apparatus fortransmitting measured elevation values to an indicating deviceassociated with a map.

The apparatus according to the invention contemplates a device for thecontinuous and automatic indication and transmission to the indicatingdevice of the elevation at a cartographic location as adjusted in astereographic apparatus. Stereoscopic pictures of a landscape are taken,for instance, for use in such stereographic apparatus. These picturesare then observed in an observing device coupled with the stereographicapparatus wherein a stereoscopic image of the photographed object orlandscape results from combination of these pictures.

A cartographic device may be attached to such stereoscopic apparatus, sothat the locations precisely observed in the stereoscopic apparatus aretransferred over to the map according to their xand y-coordinates. Eventhe elevation coordinate 1 may be measured in the stereoscopic apparatusas a result of the stereoscopic viewing by means of a calibratedmeasuring disc which changes the z-coordinate of the observed location.

Stereoscopic apparatus using aerial photos is known in which theadjusted elevation coordinate must be read in order to enter themeasured value at the corresponding point on the neighboring map table,which point is cartographed, i.e., continuously carried over in its xandy-coordinates. Thus, either two workers are needed, the first of whomadjusts the z-coordinates and the second enters the measured value onthe map. It is also possible that the person operating the stereoscopicapparatus may enter the measured value himself. However, for thispurpose, he must leave his working location and go to the map table.This known method is thus very complicated. Moreover, because of theneed for various entries, mistakes can occur. Furthermore, the measuringprocess must be halted whenever the elevation coordinate of a locationis entered.

The invention seeks to avoid these drawbacks. It is based upon theprovision of a simple device by which the z-coordinates obtained in anevaluating apparatus are automatically entered on the map table.Consequently, human errors caused by manual entry of the values isavoided.

The invention contemplates the transmission of a measured elevation in aconventional stereoscopic apparatus via a rotatable commutator disc withcontact plates to a first electromotor coupled with the indicationdevice, which electromotor exactly follows the measured value on thecommutator disc in both directions of rotation of the disc and whereinthe value at the indicating device is printed upon the map, after aswitch is closed, by a second electromotor. Thus, the value of theelevation coordinate, as adjusted in the stereoscopic apparatus, istransmitted via the commutator disc to an electromotor of the indicatingdevice, which indicating device prints the value, as adjusted andcalibrated, after the switch is closed by the operator. The operatordoes not even have to read the measured value. If a location on the mapis to be provided with its z-coordinate, the operator only has to pressa release button and the measured value is automatically printed besidethis location. The commutator disc is directly coupled with themeasuring device for the z-coordinate of the stereoscopic apparatus sothat the adjusted measured values therefrom are continuously andautomatically transmitted via the electromotor to the indicating device.

It is advantageous to provide the stereoscopic apparatus and theindicating device each with one commutator disc with contact plates,wherein both of the commutator discs are provided with a concentriccursor which delivers the voltage to the contact plates over slidingcontacts. Hereby, the voltage is transmitted over the contact plates ofthe commutator disc as- LII sociated with the stereoscopic apparatus tothe corresponding contact plates of the receiving commutator discwhenever the cursor of the commutator disc of the stereoscopic apparatusis adjusted. Thus, voltage is transmitted to the first electromotorcoupled to the cursor of the commutator disc over this cursor, whenevera difference exists between the desired and the present value. Thiselectromotor subsequently turns a register of the printing head, whichis coupled thereto.

The transmission of the rotating movement from the side of thestereoscopic apparatus to the side of the receiver is extremelysensitive, if the contact plates of the commutator disc of thestereoscopic apparatus are electrically connected to each other andplaced at equal distances from each other. The commutator disc isprovided, for instance, with a hundred contact plates at a certainperimeter in groups of 10 in each of i0 sectors. The contact plates ofeach group are numbered from 1 to 10. The contact plates with the samenumber of each group are then connected to each other and are connectedby a cable to predetermined contact plates of the receiving commutator.This receiving commutator is also provided with 10 contact plates. Inthe described examples, all 10 of the contact plates of the stereoscopicapparatus commutator of the stereoscopic apparatus with position numberII are positioned in the sectors II, III, IV and V of the receivingcommutator. These four contact plates of the receiving commutator arepositioned next to each other.

The cursor of the receiving commutator is advantageously provided atboth its ends with two sliding contacts each of which corresponds to onedirection of rotation of the first electromotor. If one of these slidingcontacts touches one of the four current guiding contact plates, theelectromotor is energized and it rotates in the desired direction untilthis sliding contact reaches a currentless contact plate of thereceiving commutator. The electromotor stops and remains in thisposition. The evaluating apparatus, as for example a conventionalregister of a printing head, which is coupled with this electromotor, isdisposed exactly in the position which is simultaneously indicated bythe elevation measuring device of the stereoscopic apparatus. If a verysteep landscape is to be measured by the stereoscopic apparatus, itappears to be sufficient that the elevation coordinate be given in wholevalues instead of in decimals. Therefore it is of an advantage if thecommutator disc of the stereoscopic apparatus is provided with at leasttwo circular rings with various divisions. In this case, a circular ringwith a rough division is connected with the receiving commutator so thata full rotation of the receiving commutator corresponds to the shift ofthe elevation coordinate by 1 meter.

The above mentioned second electromotor brings about the actual printingoperation after the switch is closed. The register of the printing headmoves from a starting position to the printing position and back again.As the measured value is continuously transmitted by the firstelectromotor, the map can be stamped at each instant of time withoutadditional measures. In order that the second electromotor does not stopits rotation movement which moves the printing head downwardlyimmediately after the operator ceases to press the switch button, a selfholding circuit is provided for this second electromotor which holds itenergized until the printing head has reached its starting positionagain.

The second electromotor drives a transmission gearing connected to aguiding stem with a fixed axis in order to obtain reciprocal movement.The guiding stem moves the printing head, guided by a rail, from thestarting position to the printing position and back during onerevolution of the guiding stem. Thereby an extremely simpletransformation of a rotating movement of the second electromotor intoforward and back movement of the printing head is achieved.

In order to achieve the self holding effect of the second electromotor,a change-over switch is provided which is activated at the beginning ofthe downward movement of the printing head and which holds the secondelectromotor energized until the printing head arrives at its startingposition again. This change-over switch is also connected with theprinting head, so that it stays activated as long as the printing headdoes not reach its starting position.

It is quite possible that the transmission of the measured values to theregister has placed the register exactly in a position in which one ofits numerals is exactly between two positions, so that this value isinexactly printed. In order to prevent this, a ratchet wheel is fastenedto the axis of rotation of the register, and a resilient pin extendsinto the spaces in order to turn the axis of rotation to the correctprinting position.

The register of the printing head may be, for instance, provided withthree wheels with numerals. In order to bring these wheels with theirnumerals into the correct positions before each printing operation, atwo-arm correcting lever is provided which moves the wheels of theregister into their correct positions by means of a setting headconnected with one of the arms of the lever, before the printingposition is reached, whereby the other arm of the lever is moved bymeans of a guiding stem, the head of which moves upwardly, before theprinting position is reached, by a springon the guiding stem, the lowerend of which rests against the housing.

Below the register may be positioned a tiltable stamping pad which isremoved during the printing process by means of a curved cam.

In order that the printed numerals occupy as little space on the map aspossible, the wheels of the register may be advantageously driven bysecondary wheels which effect setting of the decimals by means of acarrier. In this manner, the device for setting the decimals is at thewheels with the numerals. This is taken care of by the secondary wheelswhich are coupled with the wheels with the numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic representation ofthe commutator disc of the stereoscopic apparatus with the curser shownin front view and side view,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the receiving commutator with the firstelectromotor and the corresponding connections;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of the arrangement of the printingmechanism,

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the mechanical part of theindicating device with the printing head,

FIG. 5 is a simplified sectional view of the device of FIG. 4, whereinsome parts are omitted,

FIG. 6 shows a detail of the register in a view corresponding to FIG. 5,and

FIG. 7 shows a further feature of the indicating device in a sectionalview corresponding to the view of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A commutator disc 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is providedwith a number of contact plates 3a arranged in an outer circular ring 2,which contact plates are connected with each other in groups of andprovide a sector 3. The circular ring 2 comprises 10 such sectors 3. Afirst sliding ring 4 is attached to the outer circular ring 2. A slidingcontact 5 of a cursor 6 which is pivoted rotatably around the centralaxis of the commutator disc 1 connects the first sliding ring 4 with therespective contact plate 3a of the outer circular ring 2.

correspondingly, further sliding contacts 7 and 8 are provided on theinner radius of the cursor 6. These sliding contacts 7 and 8respectively connect the contact plates 3a of an inner circular ring 9with a second sliding ring 10 and a third sliding ring 11. The axis ofrotation of the commutator disc 1 and of the cursor 6 is indicated at12. The inner circular ring 9 is provided with 10 contact plates 3a.

If the first sliding ring 4 is used, the height as adjusted by a heightmeasuring device is transmitted in a scale of M0. The transmission overthe contacts 7 and 8 occurs in a scale of 1:1. The cursor 6 ismechanically coupled to an adjusting disc for heights of thestereoscopic apparatus.

Ten lines 25 are provided which are connected each with one socket 26.The first contact plate 3a of each sector 3 of the outer circular ring 2is connected with the first socket 26-I, the second contact plate 3a ofeach sector 3 with the second socket 26-II and so on. Accordingly, thefirst contact plate 30 of the inner circular ring 9 is connected withthe first socket 26-I, the second contact plate 3a with the secondsocket 26-Il and so on.

The corresponding receiving commutator 13 is shown in FIG. 2. It is alsoprovided with contact plates 14 and a cursor 15 which rotates around acommon axis of rotation 16. An outer sliding ring 17 and an innersliding ring 18 are connected to the contact plates 14. The slidingcontacts 19 and 20 connect the contact plate 14 placed below them withthe inner or outer sliding rings 17 and 18. Both these sliding rings aresubjected to the voltage in the lines 21 and 22 through relays 23 and24.

To the right of the receiving commutator l3, l0 sockets 26 are shownwhich are attached to the lines 25 from the commutator disc 1. For thesake of simplicity, only the lines and diodes of the first socket 26 areshown. As the commutator disc with its circular ring 2 comprises contactplates 3a connected together in groups of l0, 10 lines 25 lead to the 10sockets 26. One or two of these 10 sockets are steadily subjected tovoltage. In the illustrated embodiment, the second socket 26-II issubjected to voltage. This voltage is transmitted through diodes 27 tothe four contact plates 14-ll to M-V. A first electromotor 28,mechanically coupled with the cursor 15, receives in the example asshown in FIG. 2, the voltage over the contact plate 14-IV, the slidingcontact 20, the line 22 and the relay 24. This relay 24 with two workingcontacts is activated so that the electromotor 28 rotates to the right,until the cursor 15 has left the sectors IV and V. At this moment therelay is disconnected at once, so that the motor stops.

If, on the contrary, the sliding contact 19 was energized over one ofthe sectors 14, for instance sector IX, the electromotor 28 would rotatesimultaneously with the cursor 15 in the counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 2, until this cursor is positioned over a sector 14without voltage.

The cursor 15 and the electromotor 28 fastened to it thus avoid thesector 14 which presently conducts current. As the distribution of thecurrent is determined by the angle of rotation of the cursor 6 (FIG. 1),the electromotor 28 is continuously in a position which corresponds tothe position of the cursor 6 and thus the elevation measuring scale.

By switching over, the outer circular ring 2 or the inner circular ring9 may be optionally connected with the receiving commutator 13, wherebythe cursor 15 of the receiving side follows the cursor 6 of thetransmitting side respectively in a scaleoflzlOor lzl.

The first electromotor 28 is also shown in FIG. 4. It drives the cursorl5 and a reciprocable gimbal suspension 30 which transfers the rotationof the motor 28 to a register 31 over a transmission 29, which has areduction factor of 3:1.

It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the gimbal suspension 30 drives a shaft33 by means of a pair of bevel gears 32, the shaft 33 supporting fournumeral wheels 34. These numeral wheels are basically of the sameconstruction as the wheels of a tachometer, however, they rotate duringthe reverse movement too. These numeral wheels form the actual printingdevice, which prints the measured and transmitted value on the map 35.

It can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 that the numeral wheels 34 actuatethrough gear wheels 36 an evaluating apparatus 37 which takes care ofthe forwarding of the decimals.

When the number is printed, a period is printed between the lastnumerals to separate the ones from the tenths. Simultaneously indicatedare the xand y-coordinates of the printed elevation location.

The second electromotor 38 drives the printing movement. As soon as theelectromotor 38 is activated by a releasing button, a guiding stem 40 isdriven by a transmission 39 which has a reduction ratio of 36:l. and thediverted end of which fol lows a guiding passageway 42 by means of aroller 41. The actual printing head is fastened to the guidingpassageway 42 and is moved by means of a guiding part 43 in thedirection of the double arrow 44 (FIG. 5) in the printing position andback in its starting position again, as soon as the guiding stem 40 hasrotated through an angle of 360.

The ratchet wheel 45 with teeth is non-rotatably fastened to the gimbalsuspension. The teeth of the ratchet wheel come into contact with aresilient pin 46 during the printing movement, whereby the ratchet wheelis moved into the correct position.

A two armed lever 47 with a pivot axis 48 is seen in FIG. 7, wherein oneof the arms of the lever is provided with a locking handle 49 which isinserted into the spaces of the four numeral wheels 34 shortly beforethe lower printing position. A guiding stem 51 is mounted in a bore 50of the other arm of the lever, which is also shown in FIG. 5. On thisguiding stem, a spring 52 is mounted which rests upon the head 53 of theguiding stem 51 as soon as the printing head reaches its lower position.In this position, the arm of the lever 47 with the bore 50 is pulledupwardly, whereby the setting head 49 is moved to engage the numeralwheels 34 and moves them into the correct position.

A felt roller 54 saturated with ink is shown in FIG. 4, and is mountedon a bearing support 56 which is tiltable around an axle 55. During theprinting, the felt roller 54 with its bearing support 56 is moved asideby means of a curved cam 57 so that the numeral wheels 34 are notobstructed when printing. An extension spring 58 moves the bearingsupport 56 backwardly after the printing and presses the felt rolleragainst the numeral wheels 34.

The self holding of the second electromotor 38 is shown in FIGS. 3 and4. If the guiding part 43 is moved slightly downwardly, the contact 60is opened by means of the switch 59 and the contact 61 is closed. Thisswitching over is caused by a resilient arm 62 of the relay. Shortlybefore the starting position is reached during the upward movement, therelay arm 62 is moved into its original position by means of a rod 63.

From the wiring diagram of FIG. 3 it is evident that the electromotor 38remains energized as long as the contact 61 is closed.

The releasing of the motor 38 is caused by the contact 64, whichsimultaneously operates the lifting magnet 65 for the drawing pen.

By the contact 60 which is open during the printing movement, it isachieved that the synchronous part with the first electromotor 28 cannotbe moved during this time.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for printing on a map the elevation coordinate of acartographic location in a stereoscopic apparatus, said devicecomprising a first electric motor, first means having an input forreceiving a measured elevation coordinate and coupled to the motor todrive the same by an amount related to the measured coordinate, saidfirst means comprising a rotatable commutator disc including contactplates coupled with the motor so that the latter will follow rotation ofthe commutation disc, printing means for printing on a map the measuredelevation coordinate, and second means coupling said printing means withsaid motor to follow the rotation of the motor and adapt the printingmeans to print the measured coordinate in response thereto.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a second motor coupled tosaid printing means for operating the same.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second means comprises acommutator disc with contact plates driven by the first motor andcontrolling the printing means, each commutator disc including aconcentric rotatable cursor with sliding contacts which energizes thecontact plates, the

first said disc electrically coupling the first motor with the cursor ofthe second commutator disc.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the contact plates of thefirst commutator disc are equally spaced from each other and areelectrically connected.

. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first commutator disc isprovided on its perimeter with contact plates in groups of 10 sectors,wherein the contact plates which are positioned at the same place inrespective sectors are electrically connected with each other.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrically connectedcontact plates of the first commutator disc are connected to associatedcontact plates of the second commutator disc.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first commutator disc hasinner and outer circumferential rings, each with 100 contact plates ingroups of 10 sectors.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second commutator disk isprovided with 10 contact plates of which four neighboring plates areelectrically connected to each other and respectively to contact platesof the outer circumferential ring and to one contact plate of the innercircumferential ring of the first commutator disc.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second commutator disc isprovided with at least two sliding rings each connected to the contactplates of the second disc and associated with a different direction ofrotation of the first motOl.

10. A device as claimed in claim 3 comprising switch means for operatingthe printing means from the second motor, said switch means including anoperating switch and a self holding circuit for keeping the second motorenergized until a printing operation is completed.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said printing meanscomprises a reciprocable printing head, a guiding stem with a fixed axisof rotation rotatably driven by said second motor and a transmissionmeans coupled to the printing stern and said printing head to move theprinting head from a starting position to a printing position during onerotation of the stem.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 comprising change over switch meansoperated at the beginning of the movement of the printing head to holdthe second motor energized until the printing head has reached itsstarting position.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said printing meanscomprises a pivotal printing register with wheels and means foradjusting the position of said register including a ratchet wheelfastened to the axis of rotation of the register and a resilient pinextending between the teeth of the ratchet during the printing operationto move the axis of rotation to an exact printing position.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 comprising a two arm correctinglever attached to said printing head, for correcting the position of thewheels of the register, a setting head attached to one of the arms ofthe lever to adjust the lever and correct the position of the wheelsbefore the printing position is reached, a guide stem connected to theother arm of the lever and spring means acting on said stem to urge thelever in opposite direction as the setting head before the printingposition is reached.

15. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said printing meanscomprises a tiltable stamping pad mounted below the register, and meansfor pivoting the pad out of the path of the register during the printingoperation.

16. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the printing means comprisessecondary wheels and a transmission coupling the secondary wheels withthe wheels of the register to effect setting of decimals.

1. A device for printing on a map the elevation coordinate of acartographic location in a stereoscopic apparatus, said devicecomprising a first electric motor, first means having an input forreceiving a measured elevation coordinate and coupled to the motor todrive the same by an amount related to the measured coordinate, saidfirst means comprising a rotatable commutator disc including contactplates coupled with the motor so that the latter will follow rotation ofthe commutation disc, printing means for printing on a map the measuredelevation coordinate, and second means coupling said printing means withsaid motor to follow the rotation of the motor and adapt the printingmeans to print the measured coordinate in response thereto.
 2. A deviceas claimed in claim 1 comprising a second motor coupled to said printingmeans for operating the same.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 whereinsaid second means comprises a commutator disc with contact plates drivenby the first motor and controlling the printing means, each commutatordisc including a concentric rotatable cursor with sliding contacts whichenergizes the contact plates, the first said disc electrically couplingthe first motor with the cursor of the second commutator disc.
 4. Adevice as claimed in claim 3 wherein the contact plates of the firstcommutator disc are equally spaced from each other and are electricallyconnected.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the firstcommutator disc is provided on its perimeter with 100 contact plates ingroups of 10 sectors, wherein the contact plates which are positioned atthe same place in respective sectors are electrically connected witheach other.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electricallyconnected contact plates of the first commutator disc are connected toassociated contact plates of the second commutator disc.
 7. A device asclaimed in claim 5 wherein the first commutator disc has inner and outercircumferential rings, each with 100 contact plates in groups of 10sectors.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second commutatordisk is provided with 10 contact plates of which four neighboring platesare electrically connected to each other and respectively to contactplates of the outer circumferential ring and to one contact plate of theinner circumferential ring of the first commutator disc.
 9. A device asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the second commutator disc is provided withat least two sliding rings each connected to the contact plates of thesecond disc and associated with a different direction of rotation of thefirst motor.
 10. A device as claimed in claim 3 comprising switch meansfor operating the printing means from the second motor, said switchmeans including an operating switch and a self holding circuit forkeeping the second motor energized until a printing operation iscompleted.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said printingmeans comprises a reciprocable printing head, a guiding stem with afixed axis of rotation rotatably driven by said second motor and atransmission means coupled to the printing stem and said printing headto move the printing head from a starting position to a printingposition during one rotation of the stem.
 12. A device as claimed inclaim 11 comprising change over switch means operated at the beginningof the movement of the printing head to hold the second motor energizeduntil the printing head has reached its startiNg position.
 13. A deviceas claimed in claim 12 wherein said printing means comprises a pivotalprinting register with wheels and means for adjusting the position ofsaid register including a ratchet wheel fastened to the axis of rotationof the register and a resilient pin extending between the teeth of theratchet during the printing operation to move the axis of rotation to anexact printing position.
 14. A device as claimed in claim 13 comprisinga two arm correcting lever attached to said printing head, forcorrecting the position of the wheels of the register, a setting headattached to one of the arms of the lever to adjust the lever and correctthe position of the wheels before the printing position is reached, aguide stem connected to the other arm of the lever and spring meansacting on said stem to urge the lever in opposite direction as thesetting head before the printing position is reached.
 15. A device asclaimed in claim 12 wherein said printing means comprises a tiltablestamping pad mounted below the register, and means for pivoting the padout of the path of the register during the printing operation.
 16. Adevice as claimed in claim 12 wherein the printing means comprisessecondary wheels and a transmission coupling the secondary wheels withthe wheels of the register to effect setting of decimals.